Undergarment with an adjustable support configuration

ABSTRACT

The bra adjustment mechanism enables a wearer to modify the fit of the garment. The adjustment mechanism is suitable for bras having a cup portion, a body surround portion and a strap that is connected between the cup and body surround portions. The strap has a free end with a connector for attaching the strap to a body surround portion, which has a plurality of connection positions for to securing the connector to the body surround at a selected position. The body surround preferably includes an elastic segment that provides an expansion area in the body surround for maximum sizing flexibility upon closure of the bra or movement by a wearer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.15/465,755, filed Mar. 22, 2017 and U.S. Application No. 62/312,218,filed on Mar. 23, 2016, which is incorporated herein as if fully setforth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to garments that include mating strapsthat enable a wearer to size the garment. The invention relates moreparticularly to support undergarment and most particularly to brassieresor bras.

BACKGROUND

Bras are common undergarments worn to support and position the wearer'sbreast. As commonly sold, a bra of a certain size, such as 34, 36 andetc., will have a body that includes front cup portions for the breastsand body surrounding portions that encircle the wearer's body andgenerally connect in the back to close the garment. Many bras haveseveral positions were the closing connection can be made to adjust thelength of the surrounding portion. Between the cups and connectingportions there are typically straps that go over the wearer's shoulders.Many of these over the shoulders straps have a slide fastener thatallows a wearer to adjust the strap's length. Because most bras are soldby a circumferential measure, the body surround portions, and a cup sizedetermined by the breast, the currently available bras are often illfitting because of the manner in which they are offered. In other words,all wearers of a certain cup size are not necessary of the same bodysize or type. Accordingly, there is a need for an adjustment mechanismthat will accommodate the various body shapes but not requireindividualized bras to meet the multiple variations.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a bra with increase adjustability withoutrequiring undesirable changes in the general configuration of thecurrently common bra structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a common bra structure and the broken circle locatesthe preferred area for placement of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 through 4 illustrate illustrated the adjustment of the shoulderstraps according to the present invention; and,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged illustration of the multiple adjustment locations;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative comfort closure for covering theadjustment locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a bra 10 having a cup portion 12, a strap 14, a strapadjustment clip and a body surrounding portion 18. In some bras, thebody surround portion is in two halves that connect at a wearer's back,in some bras, the surround portion is continuous and a wearer makes theconnection between the cup portions, in still other bras, the bras is apull on and there is no connecting of surround portions. The presentinvention applies to any of the aforementioned bras and is not dependenton any surround connection.

In FIGS. 2 through 7, the adjustment is illustrated for a single cupstrap, but it is preferred that both strap include an adjustmentmechanism.

With reference to FIGS. 2 through 4, the shoulder strap 14 is connectedto the front or cup portion 12 of the bra and has a second, free end 21that includes a “G” hook 22. The free end 21 of strap 14 passes throughthe guide loop 24 and connects to one of a multiple of pocket like loopstructures 30.1, 30.2, and 30.3.

The body surround 32 preferably includes an elastic segment 34 thatprovides an expansion area in the body surround for maximum sizingflexibility upon closure of the bra or movement by a wearer. The insidesurface of closure half 36, not shown, has a selected half of a closingelement, such as hook and eye or hook and loop fasteners, that joins amating closing element on the other end of the bra. Although one elasticsegment 34 will be sufficient, it is generally preferred to have elasticsegments on both halves to provide a more balanced feeling to thewearer.

Still with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the free end 21 of strap 20 ispasses through guide loop 24 and the “G” hook 22 is inserted in one ofthe locations 30.1, 30.2, 30.3 that are formed in adjustment strip.Depending on the location selected, the strap 14 will be shortened orlengthened. In addition to present adjustment mechanism, the bra mayhave a sliding adjuster 23 as is known in the art.

With reference to FIG. 3, one form of a comfort closure 26 to cover the“G” hook 22 is illustrated. In this configuration the comfort cover 26depends from the guide 24 and is held in place by respective hook andeye or hook and loop fasteners 28.1 and 28.2. FIG. 4 illustrates theclosed position for cover 26. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, analternative comfort closure 126 is illustrated. In this configuration,the comfort closure is a flap sown to the body surround 32 and is closedby respective hook and eye or hook and loop fasteners 128.1 and 128.2.Depending on the material of the surround 32, a single fastener thatcouples to the material may be sufficient to hold the comfort closure inthe desired location.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bra having a cup, a body surround, and a strapthat is connected between the cup and the body surround, wherein thestrap has at least one free end that includes a connector, and the bodysurround includes at least one position that defines a plurality ofconnection positions that are configured to mate with the strapconnector and secure the free end of the strap to the body surround at aselected connection position.
 2. The bra of claim 1, further comprisinga guide that locates the free end of the strap relative to the pluralityof connection positions.
 3. The bra of claim 1, wherein the bodysurround includes at least one elastic portion.
 4. The bra of claim 2,further comprising a comfort closure that depends from the guide.
 5. Thebra of claim 1, further comprising a comfort closure that overlies theplurality of connection positions.
 6. The bra of claim 4, wherein thecomfort closure is connected to the body surround.
 7. An adjustmentmechanism for a bra having a cup, a body surround, and a strap that isconnected between the cup and the body surround and has at least onefree end of the strap secured to a connector, the adjustment mechanismcomprising: a plurality of connection positions that are defined on thebody surround and are configured to secure the connector to the bodysurround at a selected one of the plurality of connection positions. 8.The adjustment mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a guide on thebody surround that locates the free end of the strap relative to theplurality of connection positions.
 9. The adjustment mechanism of claim7, wherein the body surround includes at least one elastic portion. 10.The adjustment mechanism of claim 8, further comprising a comfortclosure that depends from the guide.
 11. The adjustment mechanism ofclaim 7, further comprising a comfort closure that overlies theplurality of connection positions.
 12. The adjustment mechanism of claim10, wherein the comfort closure is connected to the body surround.
 13. Abra comprising: two cups that are connected to each other and to a bodysurround that includes an elastic portion; two straps, each strap isconnected to a respective cup, and has a free end with a connector; and,two strap guides that are attached to the body surround; wherein thebody surround includes a plurality of connection positions that areconfigured to mate with the strap connectors and secure the straps tothe body surround at selected connection positions and the strap guideslocate the free ends of the straps relative to the plurality ofconnection positions.